"Naturally," Yi Tianxing nodded calmly. He hadn't lived enough to willingly seek death. Given the chance to survive, he would never choose to die—unless it truly came to a moment of utter desperation.
"Strategist, do you have a clever plan?" Yi Tianxing asked with a smile.
"I wouldn't call it clever. Merely a strategy of alliances and divisions," Jia Xu replied evenly.
Yi Tianxing listened quietly without interruption.
"This banquet for all races was initiated solely by the Stone Emperor. It likely wasn't a decision by the myriad races. Hosting such a feast and inviting heaven's prodigies across the world can't be accomplished with just some rare fruits. Yet the Stone Emperor insists on doing so, and he specifically named us humans. He's clearly using our human race as bait—to force the other prodigies to attend. No one wants to see us humans ascend to the top of the rankings without challenge."
"However, the Stone Emperor's reputation alone isn't enough to stand unchallenged among the prodigies. His actions are too wild and brash. Without strength and status recognized by all, he's bound to invite animosity from other top-tier prodigies—perhaps even direct opposition during the banquet. That's one of the unstable elements in this Feast of Rare Fruits."
"Moreover, many races among the myriad heavens are not close—some are even mortal enemies. Werewolves and vampires, for instance, have been at war for generations and are bloodline enemies. There are races that pose no great threat to us, like the elves, who favor peace and nature. These are worth pulling into our camp. Even if they can't be allies, we can at least ensure their neutrality—so that we humans aren't completely isolated."
Jia Xu's voice was calm and steady.
Before humanity has the power to suppress all others, the ancient strategy of forming alliances to divide enemies is the wisest approach. Winning over some ensures they aren't surrounded and besieged. That alone is a victory.
In this world, humans are far from being the main characters. This is a contest between all the myriad races for supremacy. The final outcome is far from settled.
"Yes, if there's a chance to build ties with the top races, all the better. But in the end, what we rely on must be our own strength. Don't underestimate humanity, Strategist. The hidden talents among us are not few. If they gather, we are no weaker than any other race," Yi Tianxing replied firmly.
Still, in his eyes, strength is fundamental. Alliances are a tool—not something to depend on.
"Strategist, tonight we're preparing to face the Eternal Night forces. As you advised, we'll confront them outside the city and capture all the Eternal Night puppets that were once human. In three months, this will greatly boost our Great Yi's foundation."
A sharp glint flickered in Yi Tianxing's eyes as he made his decision.
He had once seen a method of refining Dao Soldiers in the exchange list of the Divine Demon Treasury. These Eternal Night puppet-humans were ideal for that purpose. If they could be cultivated into Dao Soldiers, they would become a tremendous hidden asset.
It's said that once cultivators reach a certain level, many begin refining Dao Soldiers to strengthen themselves. Examples include the Fire Crow Dao Soldiers or the Yin-Yang Dao Soldiers—both with immense power, far beyond normal troops. Some sects even use Dao Soldiers as trump cards. They are peak combat forces.
However, refining Dao Soldiers requires extremely harsh conditions—not only loyalty, but surviving the process, which is so brutal that only one in ten survives to become a true Dao Soldier.
It's said that a top-tier cultivator who specializes in this path can rival an elite army alone. A wave of the hand, and they unleash a legion of Dao Soldiers. One man becoming an army is no fantasy.
The Rare Fruit Banquet sparked this thought in Yi Tianxing.
Jia Xu's eyes flashed briefly.
Time passed quietly.
After the news spread—of the humans taking first place on the list and the Stone Emperor summoning all races to the banquet—there was a strange calm. Aside from many human cultivators rushing to Sunset City to join its defenses, nothing major occurred.
Unnoticed, night fell.
Standing on the city wall, Yi Tianxing gazed into the distance.
ROAR! ROAR! ROAR!!
As darkness blanketed the land, the star gates hidden earlier suddenly re-emerged from the void. They swung wide open, unleashing endless waves of savage beasts, fierce birds, and Eternal Night warriors in droves. They surged like a tide, charging straight at every battle city on the front lines.
The very ground of the battlefield began to rumble violently.
"As expected, these star gates were hidden by the Eternal Night. They couldn't be found or destroyed during the day. Now they reappear at night, and only then can they be destroyed. But to reach them—through countless Eternal Night warriors—is no easy task," Yi Tianxing murmured, eyes cold.
"Pass the order. The War Tiger Legion, deploy outside the city and engage!!" Jia Xu shouted from the walls.
"War Tiger Legion, at your command!!" roared Wang Dahu, clad in full armor and brimming with battle intent. He turned and shouted, "War Tiger Legion, follow me to battle!"
"Tiger!"
"Tiger!!"
"Tiger!!!"
The entire legion echoed the cry. The War Tiger battle flag flapped in the wind, emanating fierce pressure.
The gates of Sunset City swung open.
The War Tiger Legion marched out swiftly, forming up in formation outside. Their movements were clean and synchronized, radiating the might of a mountain.
"Such powerful soldiers. All are cultivators, and every one of them is a strong warrior. Trained to perfection. The strength of this force far surpasses ordinary troops," murmured Lian Xing from atop the wall, visibly shaken by their overwhelming presence.
It felt as if a mythical war tiger had descended from the heavens—unstoppable and untouchable.
"So this is the Great Yi Dynasty's army. To build such a force, such a kingdom—what kind of man is he?" Yao Yue stared at Yi Tianxing, a trace of admiration flickering in her eyes, though she herself didn't notice it.
However, to face the Eternal Night forces outside the city rather than defend behind the walls—that was many times more dangerous. This was practically brushing against death.
Surely this wasn't a foolish act. With their intellect, they wouldn't overlook such danger. Then there must be a deeper plan—some hidden trump card.
Such thoughts raced through Yao Yue's mind, though she said nothing aloud. She wasn't one of Yi Tianxing's people—she had no place to advise or interfere with Great Yi's decisions.
RUMBLE!!!
The ground thundered louder and louder, as the enemy forces closed in on Sunset City.
In the distance, a sea of black, countless beasts and enemies, surged forward like a tidal wave.
"War Tiger Legion, prepare the formation—Eight-Gate Golden Lock Formation!!" Wang Dahu barked, eyes solemn.
"Tiger! Tiger! Tiger!!"
At his command—
The soldiers began moving swiftly. The army's aura merged into one.
A massive ancient formation diagram manifested above them. With it, every soldier's qi linked directly to the formation. Under its guidance, the diagram faded into the void, merging with the battlefield.
A dense white mist began to billow forth, rapidly enveloping the area at incredible speed—then expanding outward dozens of times. The fog gave off a mysterious, chaotic aura. Neither ordinary eyes nor mystical techniques could see through it.
"Eight-Gate Golden Lock—Open the Gate of Rest!!"
A sharp voice rang out from within the mist.
A golden ancient gate appeared in the fog, faintly visible. Upon it, the large character "Rest (休)" shimmered with profound Daoist meaning.
"Open the Gate of Life!!"
"Open the Gate of Alarm!!"
...
One by one, eight gates appeared within the fog.
In the blink of an eye, the entire army vanished from view—leaving behind only the mist and the eight floating gates.
Eight-Gate Golden Lock Formation
The Eight Gates: Rest (休), Life (生), Injury (伤), Obstruction (杜), Illumination (景), Death (死), Alarm (惊), and Opening (开).Entering through Life, Illumination, or Opening brings fortune.Entering through Injury, Alarm, or Rest causes harm.Entering through Obstruction or Death leads to doom.
Once formed, the battle formation connects to Heaven and Earth, drawing on their Daoist laws. A new reality forms within. Every War Tiger soldier now is the formation itself.
"A formation... a battle formation," Yao Yue's pupils constricted violently.
A memory surfaced—she remembered that during the World's First Martial Tournament, Yi Tianxing had obtained the Eight-Gate Golden Lock formation diagram. Now that he had an imperial dynasty, it was only natural that he would incorporate battle formations. With it, the army's strength was transformed completely—it was the difference between heaven and earth.
BOOM!!!
The mist covered the battlefield, forming a barrier in front of the city.
Countless savage beasts charged in with no hesitation. But the moment they entered the mist, they vanished into the gates—devoured by the formation.
No matter how many poured in, it was like feeding a bottomless abyss. There was no sign of collapse.